Fan favorite Sebastien Le Toux was picked by the Philadelphia Union in today's MLS expansion draft. (Rick Morrison)
Surprised? Relieved? Disappointed? Leave your comments below. We've got 22 photos of Le Toux's life with the Sounders here.
MF Andrew Jacobson (D.C. United)
F Alejandro Moreno (Columbus)
D Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA)
GK Brad Knighton (New England)
F Nick Zimmerman (New York)
F Sebastien Le Toux (Seattle)
MF Shea Salinas (San Jose)
MF Stefani Miglioranzi (Los Angeles)
D Dave Myrie (Chicago)
D Jordan Harvey (Colorado)
Five clubs escaped without losing anyone: Real Salt Lake, Dallas, Toronto, Houston and Kansas City.
Sounders press release:
RENTON, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC forward/midfielder Sebastien Le Toux was selected today by Philadelphia Union with one of its 10 selections in the 2009 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft.
Le Toux, 25 from Rennes, France, was the first player signed by Sounders FC on May 8, 2008. In his first season in MLS, Le Toux appeared in 28 regular season games, starting 15 with one goal and three assists. He appeared in each of Seattle’s two playoff games.
“With expansion comes the unfortunate consequence that you’re likely going to lose someone,” said Sigi Schmid, Sounders FC head coach. “Seba is a quality player, and it’s understandable that Philadelphia valued his abilities and brought him aboard.
“We’re sad to see him go,” added Schmid, “but we wish him the best with this opportunity in Philadelphia.”
Le Toux was a key figure in the Sounders FC 2009 U.S. Open Cup run, starting five of six tournament games and scoring three goals plus seven assists. He had the game-winning assist versus D.C. United in the Cup Final at RFK Stadium.
Prior to joining Sounders FC, Le Toux spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the USL First Division Seattle Sounders, scoring 24 goals in 54 league matches. He was the top scorer in U.S. Open Cup play both years. In 2007, Le Toux was named the USL-1 Most Valuable Player and helped lead Seattle to the league title.
Philadelphia’s inaugural MLS match in 2010 will be played on March 25 against Sounders FC on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.
Sounders FC Waives Brown, Fucito and Neagle
RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC today waived midfielder Michael Fucito and defenders Evan Brown, and Lamar Neagle.
Brown, 22, and Fucito, 23, were both selected by Seattle in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. Brown was chosen 16th overall from Wake Forest and Fucito was taken with the 46th pick overall from Harvard. Neagle, 22 and a Federal Way native, joined Seattle as a rookie free agent from Nevada-Las Vegas on June 10.
None of the players, all rookies, saw action during the MLS regular season or playoffs. Brown started in the May 26 U.S. Open Play-In game, a 1-0 victory over Colorado. Brown, Neagle and Fucito, who was on the disabled list since signing July 3, each saw playing time as substitutes in friendlies against both Chelsea and Barcelona.
Transaction: Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) waived D Evan Brown, MF Michael Fucito and D Lamar Neagle
Comments
This one hurts more in the heart than on the pitch. Le Toux was overpaid by MLS terms in 2009 for his erratic play, but he was also the first MLS Sounder, and has been with us since 2007, so...:(
Except when the Sounders play Philly...
RIP French Connection
Dislike this a lot. Loved Le Toux. Great heart. Might have to retire the jersey. He will be a Sounder til he dies as someone said on one board. BUT he will go down when he comes here. He isn't the starter they want him to be. Great off the bench guy, but Philly made a bad move here.
Feels BAD.
Adieu, LeToux....
The bright side: the best defense in MLS in 2009 stays intact.
This really sux. Yea I know he wasn't the best player but he was a great personality as a USL Sounder and MLS Sounder. NEVER refused to sign an autograph and was always thanking the fans. Saw him at various fan venues and would always talk to people. Will wear his jersey proud as he was the FIRST Sounder!
makes the zombie at Occidental Park in the Le Toux jersey all the more poignant
thanks for the memories, good luck to you, see you in march
Why let Le Toux go unprotected?, At this point in his career, he probably wants to start and play first team football and just possibly Sigi Schmid isn't a dumb guy and should be allowed for at least a non-playoff reaching season to critique or second guess a Manager who got us to the Conference Finals. Let's go to the single table and start calling them Managers for God's Sake
I enjoyed the spark of energy Le Toux brought to the game in the 70th minute. Running the other team ragged at he end of the game might not produce goals, but in its own way, it helps prevent them. Best of luck Le Toux. A great sportsman and an inspiration to players and fans.
I'm really surprised that they didn't try to pick up a player from RLS.
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